It was a fine team performance from the Blues and consequently several individuals have been earmarked for praise by the nation’s journalists.
Daily Star column.
He writes: “King of the midfield was the man from Londrina in southern Brazil who believes in God - and doing the unspectacular things with such spectacular success.
“Fernandinho was the difference between the two sides here. Forget all the glitz and glamour, all he troubles himself with is graft and guile.
“While acres of space separated Romelu Lukaku and the Manchester United midfield, Fernandinho provided the natural link between defence and attack that Mourinho’s men so badly lacked.
“Fernandinho was like perpetual motion, picking up loose balls and driving his side forward with relentless determination.”
At the Daily Mail, it’s who receives the plaudits, with Martin Keown suitably impressed with the winger’s derby display.
The former Arsenal defender said: “Sterling is evidence that when a top manager such as Pep Guardiola is let loose on one of England’s promising youngsters, they can turn him into a complete player.
“By the end, City were toying with United, but it was not just Sterling’s intelligence in running down time that impressed me.
“His movement off the ball was sublime and he showed such toughness. Sterling should take it as a compliment that Manchester United tried to kick him off the park. He was a thorn in their side.”
The courageousness of City’s play did not go unnoticed by another man at the Mail, Martin Samuel, who declared Pep’s men played like champions.
“Manchester United equalised just before half-time, after 45 minutes in which City dominated, and that setback could have damaged lesser players,” writes Samuel.
“Sent them into the dressing room with doubts. Not City. Guardiola’s men came out and played the same way again.
“So it was City who made the play, City who took it to United, City who showed the courage, who took the risk of being caught on the break, City who played like champions.“
That’s all for today, Blues, but we’ll be back with more from the media tomorrow.
